I took out the 7CW tonight and replaced them with 7 Luxeon 2700k. I'm not blown away, but I am very happy with the difference, and it is noticeable. I almost wish I had bought enough to swap out the 7 NW I have in there, but am still considering going from 44 to 32 led on my 40b -- a plan that would have me using only luxeon 2700k for whites. I don't feel a need to add red or green any longer, but think I need to add something in the 420nm and in the 460-480nm ranges. Anyone have experience w the true violet from Steve's LEDs ?
Wow, that was fast shipping! usually takes a week for me. swap in that 8th 2700k. Like I mentioned, I tried the 2:1 Royal Blue and 2700K and it looked a little too purple so you might want to keep a few of the NW around if you find you need them. (It's all really personal preference though)
and now for a small chapter on violet LEDs: :reading:
I've used their violets, along with everyone elses, and for the moment the only ones I can recommend are Rapids. I had my first 4 from Steve's Burn up after a very short time at 680mA (they kindly shipped replacements, and even threw in a couple extra, so +1 on customer service) Jurry is still out on the new ones which are like what is being currently sold on their site. (much better looking, quality wise, IMHO than the original 4) My replacements haven't been running long enough to make a determination.
I am suspect of any violet LED with a peak below 420nm which uses those little plastic domes as they often are not UV stable (good share of Violet LEDs do output light below 400nm, not much but enough to damage some plastics at close range, and your eyes....) higer drive currents just burns the plastic faster, it would burn more slowly at lower current but burn all the same if suseptable due to the small amout of UVA being emmited. (keep an eye out Steve's batches change periodically, he had one that peaked at 422nm a while ago, but they sold out fast)
That is not to say all of that style of violets will fail, some seem to be fine, but so far the only ones that I have proven to last are the ones Rapid sold me over a year ago (thier old style, havent run the new ones long enough, but no plastic to burn, so........)